ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Chris Perez and his wife, Melanie, have been charged with misdemeanor drug abuse after a package containing marijuana was delivered to their rental home earlier this week.

The charge is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, indicating that the amount discovered by police was small. According to a U.S. Postal Inspection Service report, the packages contained more than 9 ounces of marijuana.

U.S. postal inspectors, Rocky River police and members of the Westshore Enforcement Bureau conducted a search of the Perez home on Parklane Drive on Tuesday.

Police said they searched the house after officials at the Rocky River post office said they discovered two packages that smelled like marijuana. After a police dog indicated there could be an illegal substance in them, law enforcement got a search warrant.

Inside one of the Priority Mail packages mailed from Los Angeles was 6.2 ounces of marijuana concealed in four separate Ziplock bags, which were in two containers wrapped in a shirt, according to the postal inspector report. The second package had 3.45 ounces in two Ziplock bags, two containers and wrapped in a white towel. The bags were coated in Vaseline, the report said.

According to the report, at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday an undercover officer dressed as a postal carrier delivered the packages, addressed to Brody Baum at the Parklane address. Brody is the name of the Perez dog. Baum is Melanie Perez's maiden name.

View full sizeThe house in Rocky River where Chris Perez and his wife, Melanie, live.Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

The undercover officer asked Melanie Perez if the packages were meant for that address and was told that they were for the dog, the report said.

Shortly after, Chris Perez came home in a black Audi, and the two left for a restaurant in Lakewood, leaving the packages behind. While they were away, officers searched the house. A babysitter was present along with two napping children. The packages were found on a back patio.

At around 4 p.m. the Perezes came home. They were read their rights. At one point, according the report, Perez asked about Ohio's laws concerning marijuana and said he wanted to speak to a lawyer.

The report said officers found "numerous drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana" already in the home and Perez told them it was his and for his own personal use. They said Perez also opened a drawer and showed them a metal marijuana grinder.

Police interviewed Melanie Perez who said she did not know the contents of the packages and she hadn't ordered ordered anything for her dog recently. She suggested a fan may have sent the parcels without the couple's knowledge.

When asked if the packages were intended for her husband, she said: "What did Chris say?"

Melanie Perez said she does not smoke marijuana but confirmed that her husband had drug paraphernalia in the house.

Perez, 27, and his wife, 29, were released on their own recognizance. A hearing is scheduled for June 19.

The Perezes' attorney, Terry Gilbert, issued this statement this morning:

My clients Chris and Melanie Perez are facing low level misdemeanor possession charges. These are accusations only. We want to remind people, especially the media, that they have not been found guilty of any crime. They will be entering not guilty pleas. We ask that people not rush to judgment. We are confident of a favorable outcome.

In the meantime, Chris and Melanie ask that their family's privacy be respected. Chris is eager to return his focus to his team and his family.

Rocky River Police Chief Kelly Stillman said today these types of cases occur "quite frequently." He said the case is getting so much publicity because it involves a prominent member of the Cleveland Indians.

"Clearly we take these matters seriously and are disappointed whenever there is any negative attention brought to the Indians organization or one of our players,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We understand and respect that there is an ongoing legal process that we will allow to evolve."